In early 1980's British Army started the search forthe replacement ofthe aging L42 Enfield sniper rifles. Main compettitors were britishcompanies Parker-Hale with their Model 82 bolt action rifle, andAccuracy International, with their PM rifle. Eventually, PM rifle wonthe competition and was accepted by British Army under the designationof L96.
One of the most notorious features of the PM rifle was designof the stock. Instead of the solid polymer or wooden stock, PM / L96 rifle usedhollow polymer stock, made from two halves and assembled aroundaluminium bedding block, that extends through entire stock lenght. L96 alsowas equipped with backup iron sights.
In mid-1980s Swedish armed forces began their own quest for the newsniperrifle, which could survive cold and harsh nordic environments. The AIagainbecome the winner in this race with improved L96 design, named "ArcticWarfare". In 1988 Swedish forces adopted AW rifle in 7.62mm NATOchamberingunder the designation of PSG 90. British Army, in its turn, alsoadopted this improved design under the designation of L96A1, as well asmany other militaries and Law Enforcement agencies around the world. In1998, the Bundeswehr (Germany Army) also adopted the AW Super Magnumrifle chambered in .300 Winchester magnum (German caliber designationis 7.62x67mm) as Scharfschutzengewehre (sniper rifle - german) G22.

Built by Accuracy International of Portsmuth, England, thisline of rifles is among the best in the World of sniper rifles today.This rifle can shot less than 2" (51mm) groups at the distances of 600yards (550m), using boat-tail match ammunition. Arctic Warfare is aline of 5 rifles. Original Arctc Warfare was designed for the Britishmilitary. It gained its designation by special anti-icing features,allowing sniping operations to be carried out under Arctic conditionsas low as -40C (-104F)! Other models are Police (AWP), Suppressed(AWS), Folding (AWF) and Super Magnum (AW SM). Three first riflesdesigned for 7.62mm NATO ammunition, while Super Magnum can bechambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum and 7mmRemington Magnum. AW has a 26" (660mm) barrel, AWP has 24" (609mm). AWSM barrels available in lentths from 24" (609mm) to 27" (686mm). Thestandart scopes supplied by Accuracy International areSmidt&Bender 3-12X variable or the Leupold Mark 4 fixed 10Xscope.